So, now that I watch all of my nutirtional intake, I have really started to notice things like carb and protein levels in the food I buy. My question is, how good can fruit really be for you when it is loaded with sugary carbs? I hear people say that you can eat fruit all day long and it is great for you, but I can't justify that logic in my head when I look at how much sugar there is in fruit or juices... Am I looking at this the wrong way? Do fruit sugars not count the same way as other carbs? I love fruit, and could eat it all day long, but I don't want to mess up the progress I have made with my fat loss...

The problem is that you almost make it sound like the only options are to eat fruit "all day long" or not at all. Moderation and balance means you eat it a little- once or twice a day is fine, like anything.

The only things you can consume all day long with no consequences are water, air, and maybe celery.

What is wrong with sugars?

Looking at sugars is the wrong way. That is an old-fashioned myth.

Case in point: when you ask, what's wrong with sugar? What is the most common answer?

1. It raises blood sugar levels quickly
2. It spikes insulin

That is outdated information. Scientists used to believe that simple carbohydrates (sugars) spiked blood sugar rapidly while complex carbohydrates (starches, etc) were absorbed more slowly. However, only recently did we start having tests to evaluate the quality of carbs - the Glycemic Index for example.

You'll find when referring to this, the fear of sugars in unfounded.

First, a common ingredient in shakes that is NOT a sugar, maltodextrin, will spike your blood sugar FASTER than table sugar because your body has enzymes that allow it to enter the bloodstream quickly. Potatoes behave the same way.

On the converse, many natural sugars like fruit sugars (fructose) and even honey actually digest more slowly than certain foods like rice!

The real culprit with sugars is REFINED sugars that have nutrients stripped from them. Table sugar is all calories with no nutritional value - you don't obtain fiber, vitamins, or minerals, just the calories. On the other hand, fruit contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, trace proteins, and other "co-factors" that aid your body in processing the calories to use them for something other than storing them as fat. Even things like all-natural maple syrup are nutrient rich (contains magnesium and iron, for example).

So, no, eat fruit. If you go on a crusade, crusade NOT against the sugar count on a food label, but the ingredients list. The more refined or processed, the less likely the food is going to be good or useful for you. Focus on whole, natural, unprocessed foods - and fruit is about as natural and unprocessed as you can get!

Here is more info on sugar:

http://www.naturalphysiques.com/cms/index.php?itemid=109&catid=13

Jeremy

Thanks for that Jeremy! My curent "diet" is:
Post workout (breakfast):
shake (soy protein, soy milk, banana) or
kashi golean crunch
day:
graze on fruits and veggies
night:
shake or veggie meatballs

I'm seeing weight loss and I feel terrific. I know its far from ideal, but its working for me for now, and I get a TON of sugar (fructose).

another informative reply from jeremy thanks :tucool:

http://t-mag.com/html/body_95forbid.html

classic article on fructose :)

Thanks for that Jeremy! My curent "diet" is:
Post workout (breakfast):
shake (soy protein, soy milk, banana) or
kashi golean crunch
day:
graze on fruits and veggies
night:
shake or veggie meatballs

I'm seeing weight loss and I feel terrific. I know its far from ideal, but its working for me for now, and I get a TON of sugar (fructose).

How many calories are you eating? That doesn't seem like enough food or enough protein.

I haven't been counting for the past few days, but before (which was mostly the same) was around 1600....
I eat a LOT of fruit and veggies, tasty, but DAMN expensive

The big "problem" with choosing foods for me has been - I'm eating a mostly (99%) vegan diet.

Edit - Wow, I'm a moron - during the day I eat a lot of nuts too - either pistachios, almonds, peanuts or cashews. (usualy one type per day)

Thanks for all the info Jeremy... it was very helpful!